The Texan's Secret by Linda Warren

Author:Linda Warren [Warren, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
Publisher: Harlequin HSR
Published: 2011-07-08T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

SHAY WOKE UP EARLY the next morning, as excited as a teenager going on a first date. Last night had been wonderful. Today would be better. Beyond that she wouldn’t think.

Since it was Saturday, she let Darcy sleep in and went to get the paper. Out on the sidewalk she stopped short. A large frog sat in the grass. She peered closer. Was that a toad? Nah, she told herself, and picked up the paper.

Not able to resist, she stopped by the frog again. She looked left and right to make sure no one was watching her, then leaned down and asked, “Sal, is that you?”

The frog croaked deep in its throat and hopped toward Nettie’s house. “You’re going in the right direction. Be nice and she might turn you back.” Shay laughed all the way into the house. It was fun to be silly.

She hurriedly fixed Blanche’s oatmeal and placed it on a tray with coffee, orange juice and a banana. As she opened Blanche’s door, she saw her sitting on the side of the bed.

“I heard someone laughing,” Blanche said.

“That was me being silly.” She placed the food on a TV tray. “Breakfast time.”

“I have to go to the bathroom first.”

“Okay. Do you feel like walking?”

“Yes.” Blanche removed the oxygen from her nose and tried to stand. Shay came to her aid and helped her into the bathroom. Blanche was breathing heavily by the time they walked back, and Shay quickly started the oxygen again.

She placed the tray in front of her mother. “Try to eat as much as you can.” Blanche ate very little these days.

Blanche stirred the oatmeal with a thoughtful look. “Despite our talk last night, you’re very chipper this morning.”

“Being angry and bitter will accomplish nothing. I can’t change the past.”

“You’re Jack’s child to me and I’ll never forgive you for taking that DNA test.”

“That’s a cross I’ll have to bear,” Shay said in a dramatic tone of voice.

“You’re different. You’re not getting angry.” Blanche’s eyes narrowed. “I heard a man’s voice last night. Who was here?”

“Chance Hardin,” Shay replied without hesitation.

“What did he want?”

“Nothing. He just came to see me.”

“Why?”

Shay placed her hands on her hips. “Well, I like him and he likes me. ’Nough said.”

Blanche took a swallow of coffee. “You’re getting in over your head and you know it. Break it off.”

Shay straightened the bed, ignoring her mother’s words. “I’m going to look for a car this morning. Nettie will be here.”

“That old bat. I’m surprised she hasn’t sprouted wings by now.”

“Nettie has been very good to us….”

“Yada, yada, yada.” Blanche waved off her little lecture.

Shay took a deep breath. “Is there anything else you need?”

“Yes,” Blanche retorted. “My rings.”

Not again. Not ever again.

“It should be easy for Mr. Hardin. Judd respects him and will honor his request.”

“They’re material things,” Shay told her. “Why do they mean so much to you?”

“They are a symbol of Jack’s love.”

“Oh, please. From what I’ve learned of the man, he loved no one but himself.

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